UKSchoolSearch
OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 136722

Backwell School

Academy converter · Bristol · BS48 3BX

Ages 11–18 · 1,595 pupils · North Somerset

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

53.4

Overall absence

7.3%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2020-01-28

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.21
−20+2
Attainment 853.4
English & maths grade 5+57%
English & maths grade 4+81%
EBacc entry77%

EBacc APS: 5.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)17.4%
Unauthorised2.3%
Authorised absence
5.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,363

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.00 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

266

Places offered

266

1st-preference offers

262

Total preferences (any rank)
491
Preferred offers (top 3)
266
Applications from outside LA
24
Offers to outside-LA applicants
3
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill92%

1,595 pupils · 1,728 places

Pupils on roll
1,595
Boys / girls
817 / 778
School capacity
1,728
Capacity fill
1,595 / 1,728 (92%)
Free school meals
8.5%
FSM pupils
110
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Academy trust
LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Sponsor
Lighthouse Schools Partnership
Headteacher
Mr Will Penny

Location

Address
Station Road, Backwell
Postcode
BS48 3BX
Town
Bristol
Local authority
North Somerset
District
North Somerset
Constituency
North Somerset
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bristol, North Somerset, 1,595 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 8.5%.

Open schools in Bristol
324
Secondary schools in Bristol
43
Academies among open schools in Bristol
57% (184)
Open schools in BS48
14
Secondary in BS48
2
Open schools in North Somerset LA
86
Secondary in North Somerset LA
11

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BristolNear BS48

  • Nailsea School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bristol · BS48 2HN · North Somerset

    Ages 11–18

    • Att849.3
    • P80.3
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence8.5%

    1.2 miles away

  • West Leigh Infant School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bristol · BS48 3NG · North Somerset

    Ages 5–7

    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM2.2%
    • Demand1.00

    0.4 miles away

  • St Francis Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Nailsea · BS48 4PD · North Somerset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS265%
    • Absence6.6%
    • FSM15.5%
    • Demand1.00

    1.0 miles away

  • Golden Valley Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bristol · BS48 1BB · North Somerset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS278%
    • Absence4.2%
    • FSM8.7%
    • Demand0.98

    1.2 miles away

  • Hannah More Infant School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Nailsea · BS48 4YZ · North Somerset

    Ages 4–7

    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM11.4%
    • Demand0.98

    1.3 miles away

  • Grove Junior School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Nailsea · BS48 4YZ · North Somerset

    Ages 7–11

    • KS272%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM12.8%

    1.4 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Will Penny
Telephone
01275463371
Website
http://www.backwellschool.net

Official links